NEW PATIENT INFORMATION

Modification of diet and lifestyle is the primary treatment. The Initial Consultation (75 minutes) will consider practical aspects of implementing healthful nutrition, activity and lifestyle goals. We will analyze current nutrition status and dietary habits, formulate a personally-tailored care plan, and recommend activity as well as behavior modification guidelines as needed for you/your child. Follow-up Consultations(50 minutes) assess progress and provide encouragement and strategies to overcome current and potential obstacles to achieving optimal health. It is generally recommended that patients follow-up every 1-4 weeks, depending on the progress and need for additional guidance. Some patients may choose to follow-up weekly.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

Yes, I am a contracted provider with the below insurance companies. I am currently not a provider for MassHealth, Tufts/Fallon public plans, or Medicare/Medicaid.

Blue Cross Blue Shield*

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

United Health Care

Cigna

Aetna

Tufts (commercial plans only)

Fallon Community Health (commercial plans only)

Neighborhood Health Plan (both public and commercial plans)

*Please note that BCBS plans from states other than MA may NOT be covered. Please check with your member services representative (the contact number will be listed on your insurance card).

WILL MY INSURANCE PLAN PAY FOR MY NUTRITION VISIT?

Each insurance plan has a separate policy for nutrition coverage. Thus, even if you think that your plan provides nutrition consultation coverage, we ask that you please call the member services number on your insurance card and speak directly to your member services representative to determine whether or not you have benefits for nutrition consultation. This applies to all plans, even those who do not require referrals. Karuna: Nutrition + Movement does not verify your benefits.

The questions to ask your insurance plan representative are:

Do I have benefits for nutrition consultation in a private practice setting? (The patient is responsible for a fee for service if there are no nutrition benefits.)

If I do have nutrition benefits, does it only cover certain diagnoses? (For example, some plans will only cover Type 1 diabetes. Most insurance companies won't tell you directly which diagnoses they cover.)

Does my policy require a referral, pre-authorization or pre-determination?

How many visits do I qualify for each year?

What is my co-payment due at each appointment (Registered Dietitians are considered Specialists)?

Do I have a deductible and if so, will the cost of my nutrition appointment be applied to my deductible (and therefore the patient will be responsible for the cost out-of-pocket)?

My full name is Kathryn Thomas and my NPI # is 1124455589.

If your plan requires a referral, pre-authorization or pre-determination, please obtain this prior to your consultation. In some cases, a pre-auth or pre-determination can take longer to process than a standard referral and will need to be approved by your insurance company before we can conduct your initial visit.

PAYMENT & CREDIT CARDS

Many client are responsible for a portion of the charges not covered by insurance - either a copayment or deductible. For these payments, we accept accept cash, check, credit/debit cards, HSA & FSA cards. We require a credit card to hold appointment times. Your credit card will only be charged in the case of a missed appointment without notice (late cancel or no-show).

WHERE IS THE OFFICE LOCATED? IS THERE PARKING?

My counseling space is located within the Pediatric Associates of Norwood & Franklin (PANF) office at in the West Morse Park Campus at 100 Morse Street in Norwood, MA. If you are approaching the building from Pleasant Street, take a left into the first parking lot as you near 100 Morse St, before you pass the building. If you are driving from Route 1, drive past the building on your right and take a right at the end of the building into the far parking lot. Please park in either a space designated for PANF, or an unassigned spot. Enter through the West Entrance and proceed to the 2nd Floor. Please check in at the front desk of PANF and someone will direct you to my waiting room where you can wait until your appointment.